Setouchi Triennale: The Seto Inland Sea Art Festival Every Three Years

Setouchi Triennale: An Art Festival That Transforms Entire Islands into Museums

The Setouchi Triennale (Seto Inland Sea Art Festival) is a large-scale international art festival held every three years on Seto Inland Sea islands in Kagawa, Okayama, and Hiroshima. Since its first held in 2010, it has gathered renowned artists from around the world and many tourists, contributing greatly to regional revitalization.

Participating Islands and Venues

Twelve Seto Inland Sea islands including Naoshima, Teshima, Megijima, Ogijima, Shodoshima, Oshima, Inujima, Shamijima, Honjima, Takamijima, Awashima, and Ibukijima, plus the areas around Takamatsu Port and Uno Port serve as venues. Diverse art works including installations, performances, and paintings are exhibited on each island.

Fusion of Art and Regional Culture

A characteristic of the art festival is that art works are closely tied to island history, nature, and life. Works are installed in various spaces including closed schools, vacant houses, ports, and rocky areas, allowing the enjoyable experience of discovering art while island-hopping.

Schedule and Preparation

The festival is held in three periods (spring, summer, autumn) for approximately 110 days. In festival years (recently 2022, next 2025), the islands bustle with many tourists. Even in non-festival years, permanent exhibitions (such as Naoshima Benesse Art Site) can be viewed year-round.

Access

Takamatsu Port is the main access hub. Ferries and high-speed boats to each island operate from there.